we wear the mask
This year's project with Cohen Hillel Academy, Salem Academy and the Peabody Essex Museum: We Wear the Mask.
This year's project with 7th/8th graders from Cohen Hillel Academy & Salem Academy Charter School in partnership with the Peabody Essex Museum concluded in wrapping up a year long examination considering the meaning of identity and culture through a review of various types of masks from the past and present: what are different types of masks? is a mask liberating or constraining? is wearing a mask a choice of a necessity?
Guided by these questions and the museum's connecting community philosophy to "present and interpret works of art and culture in ways that connect art to the world, the program kicked off with and examination of maya angelou's poem "the mask" with ensuing sessions allowing students to reflect on the historical, culture and personal impact of masks through the use of museum exhibits, film, poetry, guided activities, presentations and discussion.
Similar to last year, the project culminated in an exhibit and presentation. The exhibit consisted of the student's creating personal masks that demonstrated an understanding of the way we define ourselves, and the way we are defined by others. They were presented in an arrangement created by the students.
For my part, I photographed each session to communicate the interaction and focus of the lesson and created a book which served as a document of the project. I also photographed each student wearing their mask and asked them to pose in a way that would mirror the feeling they wanted to express. I also photographed each student without their mask and presented those portraits separately and presented them in b/w so a viewer would be more challenged to determine the identity as the clothing wouldn't be as obvious a clue.
we are the point
a narrative of a community
It's been said that the "Point is Salem's most diverse neighborhood, home to places and people that you won't find anywhere else. To outsiders, it's also one of the most mischaracterized and misunderstood."
When I moved to Salem in 2006, I heard bits and pieces of the Point neighborhood and in honesty, none of them were positive. Yet the times I walked through the area, I noticed children who played outside, people who talked to one another, and parents who seemed to engage with their children.
A few years ago, I met Claudia Parashniv who reached out to me to photograph her wedding. We quickly became friends and talked long and hard about our interests as artists. As she was just getting started with Salem Public Space Project, I've had the opportunity to document her work including (re)Framing Lafayette Park, Share a Chair and reImage a Lot. In between, I've spent my own time meeting residents and photographing, and what I've experienced is warmth and openness.
While the photographs below are sketches for a larger project Claudia and I are developing, they represent a greater narrative - the people's stories and experiences. While neighborhoods like the Point are vulnerable to gentrification, our real hope is to help preserve the richness and community that exists there today.
drums for funds
as i mentioned yesterday, i was asked if i'd be open to documenting a segment for a "Drums for Funds" event at the newly opened Ames Hall in Salem...one that told the story of the kids and what this facility and guidance mean to them. i admire the commitment and dedication that others put into this program (namely Aaron Katz & Callie Lipton) and how their contribution inspires and alters lives as you can see...
Wells Blog
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